By M. Dawn Scott, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Moreno
PENSACOLA, Fla. – A 2007 Elmira High School graduate, formerly Southside High School and Elmira, New York, native is stationed with a command responsible for teaching future information warriors the skills required to defend America around the world.
Petty Officer 1st Class Micheal Dodge works as a Navy cryptologic technician (collection) and operates out of the Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station.
A Navy cryptologic technician (collection) operates state-of-the-art computer systems to conduct information operations; collect, analyze and exploit signals of interest to identify, locate and report worldwide threats; and control and safeguard access to classified material and information systems.
Dodge credits success in the Navy with lessons learned growing up in Elmira.
“One of my criminal justice professors in college suggested using verbal judo in everyday life to send and receive verbal messages," said Dodge. "It is a way to listen and speak more effectively. My father told me to speak rarely but concisely.”
IWTC Corry Station is just one component that makes up the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) domain, headquartered at Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station, Florida.
Charged with developing the future technical cadre of the information warfare community, the CIWT domain leads, manages, and delivers Navy and joint force training to 22,000 students annually. With 1,200 military, civilian and contracted staff members, CIWT oversees about 200 courses at four information warfare training commands, two detachments, and additional learning sites located throughout the United States and Japan.
CIWT is responsible for training enlisted cryptologic technicians, information systems technicians, intelligence specialists, and electronics technicians. CIWT also provides training to cryptologic warfare, information professional, intelligence, and foreign area officers that prepares them to be prepared to wage battle, and assure the nation’s success in this burgeoning warfare arena.
"Our sailors and staff are intentional about building trust, demonstrating teamwork, pursuing growth, and instilling grit which make our command thrive in training information warfare professionals for the Navy the nation needs," said Cmdr. Chad Smith, commanding officer of IWTC Corry Station. "Each and every day, I'm extremely proud of how our sailors and staff readily adapt to achieve and maintain the highest of standards. They truly represent the spirit and character of America, and they are why we are the strongest military force in the world."
Dodge has military ties with family members who have previously served, and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Many of my family members served in the military, but it was my grandfather and Aunt Betsy that had the most influence on my Navy decision,” said Dodge.
While there are many ways to earn distinction in the Navy, Dodge is proud of the Navy Achievement Medal he earned by utilizing a new collection system used in operations while stationed in Hawaii.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Dodge and other sailors and staff know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, serving as a key part of the information warfare community in its mission to gain a deep understanding of the inner workings of adversaries and developing unmatched knowledge of the battlespace during wartime.
These sailors and staff have a tremendous responsibility in creating war-fighting options for fleet commanders and advising decision-makers at all levels as they serve worldwide aboard ships, submarines and aircraft and from the National Security Agency to the Pentagon.
“Serving in the Navy means supporting your country and its interest by volunteering to apply military force when and where needed,” Dodge added.